chapter 48

Brian put Mandy down as soon as he got outside. Mandy was panting as she stared at him.
“You should have left me in there!” she screamed, “I was not finished with him yet!”
“What, and see you making a huge mistake?” he asked calmly.
“This has got fuck all to do with you, Brian. Why don’t you just fuck off?” she screamed, slapping his arm.
Brian jumped back and stared at her, “You were way out of line in there Mandy!” he shouted back at her, rubbing his arm.
“What do you care?” she snarled.
“My God, Mandz, even I started feeling sorry for the guy, and I really hated him not too long ago.” He yelled, “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”
“I don’t give a flying fuck what I’ve done!” she hissed.
“No, that’s clear. You’re too fucking pissed to care.” He shouted.
Mandy huffed loudly and kicked a can out of her way. Brian continued staring at her.
“You promised him Mandy! You promised him this afternoon that you wouldn’t tell anyone he was gay, and now you have announced it to the whole fucking building!” he admonished, “The poor guy is going to have to put up with a lot of shit from everyone now!”
Mandy shook stared t him for a while before she shook her head and sighed. She knew he was right, but did not want to admit it.
“I am going back inside!” she huffed.
Brian quickly grabbed her wrist and pulled her back, “Oh no you’re not!”
“Let go of me Brian!” she grunted.
“Never!” he answered, still gripping onto her wrist.
Mandy tried to squirm it out of his grip but failed, “I said let go!” she raised her voice.
“And I said no!” he answered calmly, still holding onto it.
“You’re fucking hurting me!” she screamed in rage.
“Then stop struggling!” he shrugged.
Mandy continued trying to get away from hid grip. She panted heavily, as she tried to lift his fingers with her other hand. She tugged hard but that still didn’t work. When she saw no other alternative, she tried to bite him.
“OH classic. You’re biting me now?” he laughed, “What are you a dog?”
She was getting more and more wound up.
“You cannot…stop me from…going in!” she struggled, still tugging at her arm.
“OH yes I can!” he smirked, “I am a lot stronger than you are!”
Mandy was getting more and more frustrated and let out a huge scream. Brian just stood there staring at her until she stopped.
“Feel better now?” he asked calmly.
Mandy panted heavily. Brian felt sorry for her. He hated every minute of this, but did not let it show. Now is when he softened. He sighed and looked at her.
“Look love. I know you are hurting. I can understand why you want revenge on Nicky. I really do darling, but this is not the way to go about it. You’ll only hurt yourself more and will regret it tomorrow!” he sighed.
“I just want him to feel as humiliated as I do!” she sniffed.
“I know you do, but you’re just humiliating yourself more in the process!” He sighed brushing her hair back.
Mandy now broke down. Brian sighed and pulled her towards his chest, embracing her tightly.
“It’s ok, love. Just let it all out!” he soothed, rubbing her back.
Mandy sobbed loudly, clinging onto his shirt.
“I loved him Brian. I fucking loved him so much!” she bawled.
“I know you did sweetheart. But it’s happened. You have to find a way to accept it and move on.” He sighed, stroking her hair and resting his head on hers. He swayed her slightly in his arms.
“I don’t want to move on. I just want Nicky back!” she cried.
Hearing this really hurt Brian. He sighed and looked up at the starry sky, biting his tongue. He just held her until she stopped crying. When she stopped, she stayed resting her head against his chest and played with his golden chain around his neck, sniffing every now and then. Brian pulled back slightly and looked at her.
“You ok now?” he whispered, wiping her tears away.
Mandy sniffed again and looked up at him, “I am sorry Brian.” She whispered in between breaths.
Brian smiled and rubbed her wet cheeks with his thumbs, “It’s ok darling!”
Mandy let out a weak smile at him and then stood on her tiptoes, giving him a quick peck on the lips, “Thank you!” she whispered.
“What for?” he asked, rubbing her arms up and down, shocked by that kiss.
“For stopping me from making the biggest mistake ever. I know the damage has been done but thanks anyway!” she smiled, “And for being there!”
“That’s what friends are for, right?” he smiled, still holding onto her. He just didn’t want to let go.
Mandy smiled and nodded.
Much to his disappointment, she pulled away and looked back at the building, “Well, I suppose I have a lot of apologising to do!” she sighed.
Brian looked at her, “Do you think that’s such a good idea? He is probably still quite pissed at you!” he warned her.
Mandy nodded, “I cannot let him go without me apologising and the longer I leave it the harder it will be!”
Brian nodded and put his hand on her back, leading her back inside, “Come on then!”
They walked back into the corridor and into the crowded room. Mandy scanned the room and saw Nicky standing at the corner of the room, talking to Charlie.
“There he is!” she whispered. Her heart beat loudly against her chest.
“Are you going to be ok?” checked Brian.
Mandy nodded without looking at him and walked towards him. Brian watched her and sighed.
“Is she ok?” asked Mark, now joining him. Sam was by his side.
Brian sighed and nodded, “She’ll be ok. She is just finding it a lot harder to move on that she had anticipated. But she’s strong. She’ll pull through!”
“Are you ok?” asked Sam.
Brian looked at her and smiled.
“What?” she asked.
“Well, I was not expecting that question. Everyone is so concerned about Mandy, that my feelings are forgotten here!” he laughed.
Sam smiled and held his hand, “Well, we know this must be hard on you too. I mean, look at her. She clearly still loves him, and we all know how you feel about her. You’re being really good about this Brian. I am very proud of you!”
Brian looked at her and smiled, “Thanks Sam. That means a lot to me. And yeah. I suppose I am ok. I just need to be patient, that’s all.”
“Well, at least it has gotten you two on friendly terms again, right?” she smiled.
“Yeah, but I suppose that’s all we’re ever going to be. Friends.” He frowned.
“Well, you never know. Friendship can turn into more, given time!” she nudged him.
Brian shook his head, “Nah. She loves her husband way too much. Don’t think she’ll ever stop loving him.” He sighed, still looking at her.
“Brian, she is bound to move on one day. She cannot keep a hold on him forever!” smiled Mark, patting his back.
Brian looked at her, “Wanna bet?”
“Don’t be silly!” laughed Sam, “We all move on at some point!”
“The question here is, am, I willing to wait that long?” he shrugged.
Sam stared at him, “I think you would. And I think you know you would!” she smiled.
Brian shrugged, “Oh I don’t know. I am not the most patient of men. I hate the waiting game. Sure she is worth it. God, she is so worth it, but I don’t want to be 40 when she finally lets go and gives me a chance, IF she gives me a chance!”
“OH stop exaggerating Brian!” laughed Sam, “It won’t take her that bloody long!”
“We’ll see eh?” he moaned, walking away to get himself a drink.

Mandy stopped behind Nicky and took in a deep breath. Charlie saw her and stared at her, making Nicky turn around.
“Well, look who’s back. The town crier herself!” he smirked, “What other secrets are you going to let out now?”
“I would have thought you’d have vanished!” she sighed.
Nicky shook his head, “I was looking forward to this party and nothing to do or say will make me leave, so get that idea right out of your head!” he growled.
Mandy sighed, “Nicky, can we please go somewhere to talk?”
Nicky looked at her and sighed back, “Sure!”
“In private please!” she moaned, looking over at Charlie.
Nicky smirked, “Private? Are you sure you don’t want the whole building to hear you again? Do you actually know what the word private means?”
“Nicky please!” she moaned, rolling her eyes.
Nicky sighed and grabbed his drink from the table. Then he turned to Charlie, “I won’t be long!” he winked at him.
Charlie nodded as Mandy and Nicky walked out. Mandy looked at Brian as they walked past him. He gave her a wink and she smiled at him. As soon as they were outside Mandy sat on the bench as she lit a cigarette.
“Well?” asked Nicky, folding his arms.
Mandy exhaled the smoke and looked at him, “Nicky, I am so sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to…”
Nicky just laughed and shook his head, making Mandy stop and give him confused looks, “What?”
“Well, I was wondering if this was going to be one of those speeches where you say how sorry you are but then do it again another day anyway?” he chuckled.
Mandy looked at him and shook he head, “No. I really am sorry Nicky. I know I was out of line!”
“Well, you’re not wrong there!” he sneered.
“I was just so angry. Angry at you leaving me and breaking my heart. Angry at HIM for getting you when you belonged to me. He took your heart away from me, Nicky. I cannot help but feel bitter and vindictive. Angry at how everything has changed and there is fuck all I can do about it!” she growled.
“And that justifies you telling the whole company that I am gay, does it?” he sneered.
“Well no, but…” she sighed.
“Do you have ANY idea what this could do to me, Mandz? I am going to be treated differently for starters. All those who were my mates are not going to want to know me anymore. I have already noticed some of the people I used to talk with are keeping their distance, as if I have some catching disease. It is already fucking starting. I could get demoted. I will get teased and bullied. God, I cannot even bear to think about it!” he shouted.
Mandy just listened to him and shook her head, “Ok, first of all, if they were real mates, they would not treat you any differently or ignore you. That just proves that they are not real mates and you certainly don’t need them. Secondly, you get promoted because of your ability to do the job, not your sexual preference. I don’t think your sexuality will influence your bosses judgements on your ability towards your job. And thirdly, ignore the immature prats who tease and bully you. They will soon tire of it!” she explained.
“Yeah easier said than done!” he moaned.
“Just send them my way. I will give them a good ear bashing!” she smiled.
Nicky looked at her with a serious face, “I hate you for what you have done, Mandy. I was not prepared to come out to the public yet!” he sighed.
“I know. I am sorry!” she sighed, bowing her head down, “I wish there was something I could do to make it up to you!”
Nicky shook his head, “I suppose you’d have done me a favour in the long run!”
Mandy sighed, “I really am sorry Nix. I dunno what else to say!”
Nicky looked at her, sighed and pulled her in for a hug, “I could never stay mad at you for long!”
Mandy closed her eyes and listened to his heart beating against his chest.
“I am sorry too. I shouldn’t have led you on that night.”
Mandy laughed against his chest, “And I shouldn’t have initiated it with that dinner and stuff. I suppose that was a stupid idea trying to seduce you!”
Nicky shook his head as he played with her red hair, “It wasn’t stupid, honey. It just proves how much you loved me!”
“I still love you, Nicky. I don’t think I will ever get over you!” she felt her hot tears running down her cheeks. Nicky pulled away and looked at her as he wiped her tears away, “Course you will!”
Mandy shook her head, “No, I won’t!” she squeaked.
Nicky sighed and looked at her, “You will, babe. It just takes time. But I want you to know…I am here for you every step of the way ok?”
Mandy smiled through her tears and nodded. Nicky placed a kiss on her forehead and hugged her again.
“And no matter what, Mandz, I will always love you. I will always put you first.” He said, kissing the top of her head as he swayed her in his arms. Mandy closed her eyes and swallowed hard.
“Always!” he whispered, resting his head on top of hers and closing his eyes too, letting his own tears fall down his cheeks.